Groundcover - Ivy
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  We have ivy growing over our yard as a ground cover. It is climbing treees. One tree we need for shade has ivy growing way up it and on to the branches. Will the ivy kill this tree? No one seems to have an answer for me. Should I kill the ivy on the tree, or let it grow?

  Ivy should do no damage to a well-established tree. When the ivy starts growing all the way to the ends of the branches, however, it can compete for sunlight with the tree. I would allow it to grow on the tree, but possibly do some pruning to keep it from totally engulfing the tree. On young trees, it is best to allow them growth time before letting ivy grow up them.

  We have a wonderful oak tree that is covered by English ivy over three-fourths of the plant. Some of the limbs are dying. Is the ivy killing the tree? How do you get rid of the ivy if it is hurting the tree? (Perryville)

  Usually ivy is not life-threatening to a large shade tree. If the ivy begins to cover the entire limb, it can compete with sunlight and weaken some branches. If the ivy is primarily on the trunk of the tree and the main woody portions, it shouldn’t be a problem. It can, however, camouflage other problems, such as wounds from storms, or other forms of decay. Make sure the tree is getting ample moisture during the summer, and you may want to give the ivy a haircut until you see how the tree is doing. Cutting the ivy at the base of the tree, and then keeping it from growing back up is one way of controlling it, but I don’t think it is the cause of the dieback.

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